THRUST STEMMED, SAYS GIRAUD

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 102, 25 January 1943, Page 5

THRUST STEMMED, SAYS GIRAUD

Northern Tunisia LONDON, January 24. Latest news of the situation in Tunisia is given in a communique which was issued last night by the French headquarters, which stated that the French forces had regrouped on a sector in the mountain region about 20 mles north-west of Kairwan after beating off enemy atacks throughout the day.

British. American and French troops, the communique states, have stemmed the Axis thrust.

A communique issued earlier, by the Allied headquarters stated: “Minor engagements continued in the Bou AradnGoubellat area. Our troops in this area in the pnst few days have destroyed 17 tanks and shot down seven Junkers. Bostons bombed the enemy advance from Pont du Fahs. which was threatening Ousseltia, and AVarhawks and Spitfires made sweeps over the fighting areas.” The lighting has been taking place in the area between 20 miles south-west of Tunis and 40 miles south-west of Kairwan. A French communique earlier said that on Thursday night a strong enemy attack, supported by 50 tanks, made progress at Ain el Dor. 30 miles west of Kairwan. Further south-west, the French captured in a surprise at tack a height in the area of Fondouk mid Intones. Their troops continued the pursuit and captured part, of the garrison of Serdeles, wbicit retreated some days before. The Associated Press correspondent al. Algiers said that ill-equipped French unite had no choice but to withdraw when the Germans made the thrust. British tank casualties since the action began were Jess than one-third of the German total. Seventeen British infantry tanks were thrown in on the side of the battered French with the object of preventing the Germans from consolidating on the ridge running south-west of Pont du Falls. The Germans obviously aim at establishing themselves on the ridge for the new situation which will arise when Rommel's army reaches Tunisia.